"Jake said to me, 'Just keep your powder dry for another few weeks,'" Talarico told The Associated Press.

Giuliani has visited the first-in-the-nation primary state four times already this year and advisers have maintained regular contact with potential staffers in the event he decides to seek the presidency. During his last trip in July, Giuliani said he wasn't convinced any of the candidates were strong enough to defeat President Barack Obama. Until he is, he said he wouldn't rule out a run of his own.

"These are a lot of qualified people," he said at the time. "Do they have a good chance of winning? I don't know the answer to that."

Giuliani was hesitant to pursue any political activity near the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, but seems to sense an opportunity given the continued dissatisfaction among Republican voters with the current slate of candidates.

Smith, a Giuilani supporter in 2008, said he met with Menges in a Manchester coffee shop Wednesday afternoon.

"They were just gauging my thoughts about whether there's room for his candidacy," Smith said. "I told them that my sense, based on the calls for (New Jersey Gov.) Chris Christie to get in, is there's still some discontentment among Republicans and there could be a spot for another candidate. That being said, time is certainly winding down."